Some compounds contain atoms of the same element in different oxidation states. In which of the following compounds is the mathematical difference between the highest and lowest oxidation states of the same element maximum?

Step-by-step solution

To find the maximum difference, we must determine the individual oxidation states of the atoms of the same element in each mixed compound. For CaOCl ₂ (bleaching powder): It consists of Ca ²⁺ , Cl ^- and OCl ^- ions. The oxidation states of chlorine are -1 and +1 . The difference is |+1 - (-1)| = 2 . For NH ₄ NO ₃ : It consists of NH ₄^+ and NO ₃^- ions. Let the oxidation state of N in NH ₄^+ be x : x + 4(+1) = +1 x = -3 . Let the oxidation state of N in NO ₃^- be y : y + 3(-2) = -1 y = +5 . The difference is |+5 -